HE was already revered as one of the North-East's greatest sporting champions. Now, boxing legend Billy Hardy is proving a knock-out in the retail world.

The Sunderland-born star has been learning the ropes at a sports shop in Darlington town centre, helping out the firm which sponsored him throughout his illustrious career.

And the sight of the former European featherweight champion running the T Y McGurk store, in the Market Place, is causing a stir in a town renowned for its pugilistic passion.

Hardy has been a hit with customers in his few weeks as manager at the Darlington shop, to which he came on a temporary basis from McGurk's outlet at Peterlee, in east Durham.

It is the latest development in his association with the company, for which he has worked on and off since his retirement from boxing in 1999.

Hardy, who was famed for fighting in the red and white colours of his home city football team, said he was hopeful that boxing had a bright future in the North-East.

He said: "Boxing in Darlington has always been quite strong, there are a lot of fans here. There has always been a contingency of travelling families here who have produced good fighters.

"I still go back to the local gyms and try to pass on some of my knowledge.

"I'll be trying in the near future to open my own gym, probably in the Durham area, because there is some phenomenal talent in the North-East."

Hardy was unsuccessful in his bid for a world title but was a hero to boxing fans throughout the region for several epic fights, including those against Steve Robinson and Scarborough's Paul Ingle.

With the rigours of the ring now behind him, Hardy is proving good for business at McGurk's.

He said: "It's up to the company how long I am here. I am realistically hoping to move back to Sunderland, but I love it in Darlington. They're good, friendly people here."